The predictive impact of domestic violence on three types of child maltreatment

Objective: This exploratory study investigated the co-occurrence of domesti c violence and three types of child maltreatment: physical child abuse, psy chological child abuse, and child neglect. Method: A sample of 2544 at-risk mothers with first-born children participa ted in a home-visiting child abuse prevention program. A longitudinal desig n using multiple data collection methods investigated the effect of domesti c violence during the first 6 months of child rearing on confirmed physical child abuse, psychological child abuse, and child neglect up to the child' s first 5 years: Results: Logistic regressions revealed significant relationships between do mestic violence and physical child abuse, psychological child abuse, and ch ild neglect. These effects were significant beyond the significant effects of known risks of maltreatment, as measured by the Kempe Family Stress Inve ntory (KFSI). Domestic violence occurred in 59 (38%) of the 155 cases of co nfirmed maltreatment. Domestic violence preceded child maltreatment in 46 ( 78%) of the 59 cases of co-occurrence, as indicated by independent home obs ervations and child protective service records. Conclusions: The findings indicate that domestic violence during the first 6 months of child rearing is significantly related to all three types of ch ild maltreatment up to the child's fifth year. Domestic violence and risks factors measured on the KFSI continue to contribute to all three types of m altreatment up to the child's fifth year. Prevention programs would be wise to provide services to at-risk families until the child is at least 5 year s old. Addressing concurrent problems during treatment may enhance interven tion. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.